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It's not often that an English cricketer gets labeled as whinging down under, but when Joe Root was questioned about the necessity for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he gave an honest response.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root stated prior to England's practice at the Gabba. “Clearly very successful and popular here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive record with the pink ball. You can understand why one match is scheduled.

“In the end, you know from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of being ready for the series. For a series like this, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it has no place. I'm fine with it. I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's on the calendar. We’ve got to play it, and we just need to be better our opponents in these conditions.”

Root's Performance Under Lights Suffers

Similar to his opposite number, Australia's Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop with the pink ball. The England star has played all seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his debut such match versus the Windies back in 2017, his overall average above 50 drops to 38.5 under lights.

Conversely, bowler Mitchell Starc averages 28.97 and a strike rate of 49.9 overall, but those numbers improve to 17 and 33 correspondingly in day-night Tests. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he claimed six for nine as the opposition were bowled out for a meager 27—his best performance that were soon surpassed with seven for 58 in the next Test.

Deciding Duel Root vs Starc May Determine Outcome

The matchup of Root and Starc is emerging as a potential key contests in the Ashes. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have traditionally caused him issues, with them missing in the first Test, the veteran Starc who dismissed him for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected the initial wicket was just a good ball—the type that may not reach the slips back home. The second, when he chopped on, amid the team's slump, was an error by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Preparations

Starc now uses the wobble-seam as his main tactic these days—he noted he wished he'd heeded to Hazlewood and Cummins suggestions earlier—and in muggy conditions, swing may also come into play. England, trailing 1-0, have more to overcome in this Test, and contributions by their top batsman would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

This may not require a hundred if another rapid shootout unfolds, but Root’s lack of a century in Australia continues to haunt him. “I didn’t have long enough to think about it,” was his humble reply when asked whether that record weighed on him during the first Test.

Squad Decisions and Chance for History

The England squad practiced hard on Sunday, to the sound of hip-hop providing the backdrop in the heat. The key sessions are vital for their readiness, conducted in evening conditions.

Wood being unavailable due to a knee issue has created an opening in the lineup, with Jacks netting with the main batters suggests he might be in contention. His off-spin are decent, and additional scoring at number eight could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue has been with the Lions in Canberra and remains an option should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was included last week. Much to think about, then, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test in over 40 years.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root commented on this fact. “It would make it even more satisfying if we succeed here.”